Apparatus for applying detergent to rugs and the like



March 21, 1961 R. A. YONKERS ETAL 2,975,462

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENT TO RUGS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 19572 Sheets-Sheet 1 fZG. 5.

March 21, 1961 R. A. YONKERS ETAL 2,975,452

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENT TO RUGS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 19572 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING DETERGENTT0 RUGS AND THE LIKE Robert A. Yonkers and Henry T. Lathrop, GrandRapids,

Mich., assignors to Bissell Inc., a corporation of Michigan Filed May22, 1957, Ser. No. 660,807

15 Claims. (Cl. 15-532) This invention relates to an apparatus forapplying detergent to surfaces particularly rugs, carpets and the like,and effectively working the, detergent into the nap. The main objects ofthis invention are:

First, to provide an applicator for applying detergent containingliquids to rugs, carpets and like surfaces having nap and working ordistributing the detergent into the nap.

Second, to provide an applicator which is adapted for applying adetergent containing liquid to a surface to be cleaned in the form offoam.

Third, to provide an applicator adapted for uses indicated which may bevery easily manipulated and is highly efficient.

Fourth, to provide an applicator adapted for applying liquid detergentto surfaces in which the amount distributed can be easily controlled andis uniformly distributed.

Fifth, to provide a method of applying a detergent containing liquidhaving the quality of foaming on agitation to the surface to be cleanedin the form of foam.

Objects'relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

The invention provides a non-electric apparatus for manual applicationto a rug of a foaming type of detergent for removing dirt from the rugWhile the operator is standing. In carrying out the invention a rollerof sponge-like resilient synthetic material of substantial radialthickness is employed at the end of an upright handle which appliespressure on the roller to deform it as it rolls forward and backwardover the rug. The sponge-like material of the roller is adapted toreceive a liquid detergent mix and to aerate the mix absorbed in thematerial and discharge the same in intimate contact with the nap of therug as the material squeezes the foam therefrom under pressure contactwith the rug.

In a more specific sense the apparatus has brushes fore and aft of theroller and which work the nap in the path of the roller and provide amore rapid and intimate application of the foam thereto without wettingthe base.

The apparatus preferably carries a quantity of liquid detergent mix andhas manually controlled valve means to discharge restricted amounts ofthe mix onto the roller in operation of the apparatus.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an applicator embodyingour invention, certain of the parts being shown conventionally, othersbroken away to show structural details thereof.

Fig. 2 is a top view or view looking downward with the parts inoperative position as is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view with partsbroken away and in longitudinal-seq tion.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line44 of Figs. 2 and 3, certain parts being shown in full lines.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section on a linecorresponding to line 6-6 of Fig. 7 showing certain details of thetubular handle and of the liquid receptacle in disassembled relation.

Fig. 7 is a top view of the receptacle on a line corresponding to line7-7 of Fig. 5 with the upper section of the handle omitted.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the surface of the applicatorroller shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The embodiment of our invention is well adapted for the application of adetergent containing liquid to the surfaceof fabrics to be cleaned, suchas carpets, rugs, upholstery and the like, and the working of thedetergent into the nap thereof. While the applicator is adapted for theapplication of a wide variety of detergent containing liquids to theobject to be cleaned, it is particularly desirable for use in theapplication of detergents having the characteristic of foaming onagitation thereof and the working of the detergent material into the napof the object to be cleaned in the form of foam, as distinguished fromthe mere application of the liquid in fluid form;

It is the applicants observation and experience that as a result ofworking the detergent into the material to be cleaned in the form offoam, the dirt and other foreign matter desired to be removed iselfectively loosened and deposited on the nap at or adjacent to theouter surface of the object being cleaned, so that when dry the foreignmatter may be readily removed by means of a suction cleaner, carpetsweeper or the like.

The embodiment of our invention illustrated comprises a body memberdesignated generally by the numeral 1 and including a rearwardlydeclined top wall 2, rear wall 3, front wall 4 and end walls 5. Thefront and rear walls are desirably curved and diverge downwardly. On theinner side of the top wall is a longitudinally extending rib-likeconduit 6 having a central inlet 7 opening through the top wall andprovided with an outwardly facing valve seat 8. The conduit is providedwith a longitudinal series of quite closely spaced discharge openings 9.These openings are of such size that the liquid is discharged quiteuniformly throughout the length of the conduit. These several parts aredesirably formed integrally of molded plastic. The front and rear walls3 and 4 are provided with rib-like enlargements .10 at their lower edgesand in each of which a row of'nap working bristles 11 are seated. Eachrow of bristles extends from end to end of the body member. The valvecage 12 has an outturned flange 13 at its bottom edge which is fixedlysecured to the top Wall 2 by means of the rivets 14. The body member hasan upwardly projecting annular flange 15 which, in the embodimentillustrated, is of oval shape and constitutes a guide for the lower endof the side walls of liquid receptacle 16. The handle designatedgenerally by the numeral 17 comprises a bottom section 18 which issupportedly engaged with the valve cage 12 and an upper section 19 whichis detachably engaged with the lower section. The receptacle 16 isprovided with a top 161 having an 7 upwardly projecting flange 20externally threaded at 21 and having vertical slits 22 therein. Thesection 18 of the handle projects through this flange and has an annulargroove 23 therein in which the projecting flange 24 is clampinglyengaged by means of the nut or collar 25 threaded upon the nipple 20.(See Fig. 5.)

The upper end of the section 18 of the handle is proant nna I H V videdwith a bayonet slot 26 which is engaged by the stud 27 on the uppersection 19 of the handle. The upper section 19 of the handle has anangularly disposed terminal portion 28 on which the grip 29 isdetachably sleeved The upper end of the handle constitutes a fillingtube for the receptacle 16, the handle being provided with openings 36;for the discharge of the liquid into the receptacle. The valve 31 coactswith the seat 8 and is urged upon the seat by the coil spring 32. Thevalve rod 33 is disposed longitudinally within the handle and extends atits upper end through an opening 34 provided in the handle andterminates in a finger piece 35 which is positioned to be engaged by thefinger of the operator grasping the grip 29. v

The liquid detergent is discharged from the conduit 6 through ports 9upon the distributing roller .0 which, in the embodiment illustrated,comprises a core 41 provided with journals AZ engaging the openings 43in the end walls The end walls 5 are sufficiently springable so that thejournals of the roller can be readily engaged or disengaged therefrom.

While the body member is desirably formed as a unit of molded plasticmaterial, it is desired to point out that the body member may be greatlyvaried in structural details and material.

The roller of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9inclusive comprises a sponge-like resilient peripheral portion 44 ofsubstantial radial thickness desirably formed of synthetic rubber andsubstantially resilicut or yieldable. The liquid detergent or detergentcontaining liquid is discharged upon this roller and is absorbed into orheld in the pores of the roller and is carried around and uniformlydistributed upon the surface over which theapplicator is manipulated,for example, a rug, carpet or the like. The apparatus is manipulatedwith some pressure which squeezes the detergent out of the roller andonto the surface over which the applicator is manipulated and theapplicator desirably manipulated back and forth, which results in thefoaming of the detergcut and working it into the nap.

The amount of detergent discharged is readily controlled by theoperator. As stated, this foaming causing the detergent to foam ishighly effective in loosening the dirt or other foreign matter and tendsto lift it to the surface so that when the detergent has dried suchforeign matter can be readily removed by means of a suction cleaner,carpet sweeper or the like.

The brushes 11 coact with the roller in the working of the detergentinto the nap and lift the nap which may be pressed down or matted by thethrust of the roller thereon.

The adaptation of the handle as a support for the receptacle 16 is afeature of substantial importance, as it enables the receptacle beingformed of relatively light plastic material so that the contents arevisible. The adaptation of the handle as a fiilling tube is not only ofimportance in the matter of filling the receptacle, but as we havepointed out the detergent desirably used tends to foam on agitation andit substantially foams in the receptacle as a result of the agitationresulting from the to and fro motion of the applicator. The handle beingof sub stantial length prevents overflow as a result of this foammg.

We have illustrated and described our invention in a highly practicalembodiment thereof and one which can be easily manipulated andcontrolled as to the matter of the liquid discharged. We have notattempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations aswe believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to adaptour invention as may be desired.

, Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and isdesired to be secured by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In an implement of the class described, the combination of anelongated body member including integral side, top, and end wallsdefining a downwardly facing 4 chamber, the top wall having alongitudinally extending conduit member integral therewith and providedwith a longitudinal series of uniformly spaced discharge openingsextending from end to end thereof, said top wall having a central inletopening to said conduit surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat, atubular handle connected to said body member in surrounding relation tosaid valve seat, brushes supportedly mounted on said body'rne mher andextending from end to end thereof with their bristles projectingdownwardly from the body member, a liquid distributing roller ofresilient spongy material dis posed between and journaled on said endwalls in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit toreceive the discharge therefrom, said roller being disposed between andin laterally spaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with asubstantial segment of the roller projection below the body member wallsfor a compressible driving engagement with a surface over 'whichit istranslated, a liquid receptacle mounted on said body member in supportedrelation to said handle and in surrounding relation to said valve seat,a spring seated valve coacting with said valve seat, and a manuallycontrolled means for opening said valve disposed within said handle.

2. In an implement of the class described, the combination of anelongated body member including integral side, top, and end wallsdefining a downwardly facing chamber, the top wall having alongitudinally extending conduit member integral therewith and providedwith a longitudinal series of uniformly spaced discharge openingsextending from end to end thereof, said top wall having a central inletopening to said conduit surrounded by an upwardly facing valve seat, ahandle connected to said body member in surrounding relation to saidvalve seat, brushes supportedly mounted on said body member andextending from end to end thereof with their bristles projectingdownwardly from the body member, a liquid distributing roller ofresilient spongy material disposed between and journalled on said endwalls in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit toreceive the discharge therefrom, said roller being disposed between andin laterally spaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with asubstantial segment of the roller projecting below the body member wallsfor compressible driving engagement with a surface over which it istranslated, a liquid receptacle mounted on said body member insurrounding relation to said valve seat, a valve coacting with saidvalve seat, and a manually controlled means for opening said valve.

3. In an implement of the class described, the combination of anelongated chambered downwardly facing body member including laterallyspaced side walls, the body member having a longitudinally extendingdischarge conduit therein discharging downwardly between said walls andhaving an inlet opening to said conduit, a liquid receptacle disposed onsaid body member in communication with said inlet to discharge thereto,a spring seated valve for said inlet, a handle connected to said bodymember to project upwardly therefrom and provided with a hand piece,means for manually opening said valve against the tension of its saidseating spring including a finger piece positioned adjacent the handpiece of said handle, elongated brushes supportedly mounted on said bodymember and said body member extending 1ongitudinally thereof with thebristles of said brushes projecting downwardly therefrom, and, a liquiddistributing roller of resilient spongy material rotatably mounted within said body member in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to saidconduit to receive. the discharge therefrom and between and in laterallyspaced non-contacting relation to said brushes with a substantialportion of the roller projecting below the body member walls forcompressible driving engagement with a surface over which it istranslated, both said roller and brushes. being resilientlyyieldableunder use stresses.

gees-tea 4, Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs andthelike surfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body memberhaving a handle for manual manipulation of the member forward andbackward over the nap surface, a cylindrical roller carried by saidmember and substantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, asource of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration, meanscarried by said member to supply restricted amounts of said liquiddetergent mix to the upper surface of said roller, means to manuallycontrol said last named means, said roller having a substantialthicknessof resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and whichabsorbs the liquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam' inworking of the material in pressure contact with thenap of the surface,-and said handle being disposed to apply deforming -pressure to saidroller against the nap surface during manipulation of the body member,and at least one brush carried by said member adjacent said roller andhaving its bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in a sweepingaction in the path of the roller and work the same in opposite direcf'tions for conditioning the nap to receive a more uniform and thoroughapplication of foam from the roller.

" 5. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the likesurfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member having ahandle for manual manipula- 't ionof themember forward and backward overthe nap surface, a cylindrical roller carried by said member andsubstantially supporting the same upon the nap surface, a source ofliquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aeration, means carried bysaid member to supply restricted amounts of said liquid detergent mix tothe upper surface of said roller, means to manually control .said

last nam ed means, said roller having a substantial thickmess ofresilient syntheticsponge material on its surface and which absorbs theliquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in working of thematerial in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, and saidhandle ibeing disposed to apply deforming pressure to said rolleragainst the nap surface during manipulation of the body imember, andbrushes carried by said member in front of and also to the rear of saidroller, said brushes having bristles facing downwardly to engage the napin a sweeping action and work the same in the path of said roller forconditioning the nap ahead of the roller in each directionof operationto thereby more effectively apply the foam by said roller.

' :6. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the likesurfaces having an upstanding nap, compris- 7 ing a body member having arigid handle for manual manipulation of the member forward and backwardover the nap surface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to,foaming by aeration and carried by said body member, manually controlledgravity discharge means for said mix, a single cylindrical rollercarried by said member beneath said discharge means and substantiallysupporting the body member upon thejnap surface, said roller having asubstantial thickness of resilient synthetic .sponge material on itssurface and which absorbs liquid detergent'mix and aerates the same to afoam in, work- .ing of the material in pressure contact with the nap ofthe surface, said handle being disposed to apply deforming pressure tosaid roller against the nap surface during manipulation of the bodymember, and at least one brush canied by', said member adjacent saidroller and having its, bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in asweeping action and work the same, the tilt of said handle {duringmanipulation of the body member controlling the 'actuation'of saidbrushto eflect conditioning of the nap I of the surface-for application offoam thereto by said roller.

an ar wsutetar ly sliq detergent x to a and the like surfaces having anupstanding nap, comprising a body member having a rigid handle formanual manipulation of the member forward and backward 6 over the napsurface, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foaming by aerationand carried by said body member, manually controlled gravity dischargemeans for said mix, a single cylindrical roller carried by said memberbeneath said discharge means and substantially supporting the bodymember upon the nap surface, said roller having a substantial thicknessof resilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbsliquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in working of thematerial in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, said handlebeing disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller against thenap surface during manipulation of the body member, and brushes carriedby said member in front of and also to the rear of said roller, saidbrushes having bristles facing downwardly to engage the nap in asweeping action and work the same in the path of said roller both foreandaft thereof to condition the nap for a more uniform application offoam thereto by said roller, and said rigid handle effecting a controlof the actuation of said brushes by adjusting the tilt of the handle.

8. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the likesurfaces having an upstanding nap, comprising a body member, a handlerigidly carried by said member and extending upwardly therefrom formanual manipulation of the member forward and backward over a rug by astanding operator, a single cylindrical roller carried by said member insubstantially fixed bearings and substantially supporting the same uponthe nap surface, brush means disposed adjacent said roller to engage thesurface during forward and backward translation of said roller over thesurface, means to supply restricted amounts of liquid detergent mix tothe upper surface of said roller, and means to manually control saidlast named means, said roller having a substantial thickness ofresilient synthetic sponge material on its surface and which absorbs theliquid detergent mix and aerates the same to a foam in workingof thematerial in pressure contact with the nap of the surface, and saidhandle being disposed to apply deforming pressure to said roller againstthe nap surface during manipulation of the body member effectingtranslation of the roller and brush over the surface.

9. Apparatus for applying liquid detergent mix to rugs and the likesurfaces having an upstanding nap, corn-prising a body member, a handlerigidly carried by said member and extending upwardly therefrom formanual manipulation of the member forward and backward over a rug by astanding operator, a source of liquid detergent mix subject to foamingby aeration and carried by said body member, manually controlled gravitydischarge means for said mix, a single cylindrical roller carried bysaid member beneath said discharge means and substantially supportingthe same upon the nap surface, and brush means carried by said bodymember adjacent said roller and disposed to engage the nap surface andassist in the distribution of foam throughout the nap, said rollerhaving a substantial thickness of resilient synthetic sponge material onits surface and which absorbs liquid detergent mix and aerates the sameto a foam in working of the material in pressure contact with. the napof the surface, and said handle being disposed to apply deformingpressure to said roller against the nap surface and to control theengagement of said brush to the surface during manipulation of the bodymember.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, an elongated body memberprovided with a handle, said body member having a longitudinallyextending liquid conduit discharging downwardly, a liquid containerconnected to said body member for translation therewith, a dischargeconnection for said container to said discharge conduit provided with amanually controlled valve, elongated brushes amounted onsaid body memberin laterally spaced relation to each other and relative to the verticalplane of the discharge of said conduit, and a generally cylindricalresiliently compressible synthetic sponge roller rotatively mounted onsaid body member between and in laterally spaced relation to saidbrushes and in downwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduitand positioned to receive the discharge from said conduit, said rollerbeing capable of absorbing and translating a substantial quantity ofliquid discharge thereon and being resiliently compressible wherebyliquid in a substantially aerated form is squeezed therefrom upon a sur,face over which the roller is translated under surface contactingpressure, the brushes being positioned relative to the roller to engagethe surface over which the device is translated by actuation of saidhandle.

11. An apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated manuallyoperable body member having a longitudinally extending downwardlydischarging liquid conduit, a liquid container connected to said bodymember for manipulation therewith and having a delivery connection tosaid conduit provided with a manually operable discharge valve,elongated brushes mounted on said body member in laterally spacedrelation to each other and to extend longitudinally thereof, and agenerally cylindrical resiliently compressible synthetic sponge rollerrotatably mounted on said body member between said brushes and laterallyspaced therefrom and positioned to project below said body member and indownwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit and positionedto receive the liquid discharged therefrom and being capable ofabsorbing a substantial quantity of liquid discharged thereon and beingresiliently compressible so that liquid carried thereby is squeezedtherefrom in a substantially aerated form upon a surface over which theroller is translated under pressure, the brushes being positionedrelative to the roller to extend in brushing relation to the surfaceupon which the device is translated by the manual operation of said bodymember.

12. An apparatus of the class described comprising an elongated manuallyoperable body member having a longitudinally extending downwardlydischarging liquid conduit, a liquid container connected to said bodymember for manipulation therewith and having a delivery connection tosaid conduit provided with a man ually operable discharge valve, anelongated brush mounted on said body member to extend longitudinallythereof, and a generally cylindrical resiliently compressible syntheticsponge roller rotatably mounted on said body member in spaced parallelrelation to said brush and positioned to project below said body memberand indownwardly spaced non-contacting relation to said conduit and toreceive the liquid discharged therefrom and being capable of absorbing asubstantial quantity of liquid discharged thereon and being resilientlycompressible so that the liquid carried thereby is squeezed therefrom ina substantially aerated form upon a surface over which the roller istranslated under presssure, the

brush being positioned relative to the roller to extend in brushingrelation to the surface upon which the device is translated.

13. In an apparatus of the class described an elongated body memberprovided with a handle, said body member having a longitudinal extendingliquid conduit discharging downwardly, a liquid container connected tosaid body member for translation therewith, a discharge connection forsaid container to said discharge conduit provided with a manuallycontrolled valve, an elongated brush mounted on said body member inlaterally spaced relation to the plane of the discharge of said conduit,and an elongated resiliently compressible roller rotatively mounted onsaid body member in laterally spaced parallel relation to said brush andpositioned in downreceive the discharge from said conduit, said rolleract- '8 ing to translate a substantial quantity of liquid dischargethereon upon a surface over which the roller is trans: lated undersurface contacting pressure, the brush being positioned relative to theroller to extend in brushing relation to the surface over which saidroller is translated by said handle. I

14. In a device for applying a foaming cleaning com; pound to napsurfaces, a source of'liquid cleaning compound subject to foaming whenaerated, a roller for translation forward and backward over the napsurface to be treated and comprising a rigid core having a risilientcompressible synthetic sponge material. of substantial radial thicknessthereon, means to supply liquid from said source to said roller forabsorption by said sponge material, means to translate said roller Overthe nap surface and in continuous pressure contact therewith to eifectdeformation of said sponge material and aeration of said cleaningcompound with simultaneous discharge of the same in the form of foamupon the surface, said roller substantially supporting said translatingmeans upon said surface and being free to deform in response to thesupport forces, and brush means carried by said translating means anddisposed spaced from said roller to engage the nap surface in the pathof the roller without interference with the latter and assist thedistribution of the foam into the nap, said translating means beingmovable in directions other than the direction of translation to controlthe engagement of said brush means with the nap surface.

15. Apparatus for applying a foaming liquid detergent mix to rugs andthe like surfaces havingan upstanding nap, comprising a roller fortranslation forward and backward over the nap surface to be treated andhaving a rigid core with a substantial radial thickness of duringtranslation of the roller without direct interference therewith, saidengagement of said brush means being controlled by said mounting meansand generally increasing with increased deformation of said roller, andsaid roller having its lowermost rug engaging surface extendingdownwardly to the general plane of the bristle tips of said brush meansto provide a substantial support for said mounting means and being freeto deform at all times.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS489,828 Peterson Jan. 10, 1892 967,301 Andrews Aug. 16, 1910 1,111,697Lichter Sept. 22, 1914 1,141,478 Mount June 1, 1915 1,175,723 Myers Mar.14, 1916 1,461,947 Sporer July 17, 1923 1,550,052 Anderson Aug. 18, 19251,582,773 Nash Apr. 27, 1926 1,802,587 Tavender Apr. 28, 1931 2,154,990Ombrello Apr. 18, 1939 2,250,692 Wise July 29, 1941 2,567,764 DaviesSept. .11, 1951 2,633,590 Mitchell Apr. 7, 1953 2,693,000 Minerley Nov.,2, 1954 2,935,754 Abdo et a1. May 10, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 821,475Germany Nov. 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OFCORRECTION Patent No. 2,975,462 March 21, 1961 Robert A, Yonkers et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 4, line 57, for "for" read controlling line 63, strike out "saidbody member", second occurrence,

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of August 1961.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents

